Auckland City Council
Media release

15 October 2010  

A taste of India comes to Auckland

India’s most popular and vibrant festival – Diwali – will this year make a comeback to its former home of Aotea Square on 30 and 31 October.

Diwali, also known as Deepavali (row of lamps), is an annual free festival that attracts thousands of visitors to the city centre with its high energy, colour and authenticity.

The “festival of lights” symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and the renewal of life. It gives Auckland’s Indian communities the opportunity to celebrate this much-loved cultural tradition with their families and others.

Highlights of the free festival include the colourful, lively and laugh-out-loud funny Rajasthani puppets, master magicianUday Jadugar,traditional and contemporary performances from local and international artists, a Bollywood dance competition, fashion shows, and craft and food stalls.

Diwali concludes spectacularly with a fireworks display on Sunday evening at 9pm.

Diwali’s return will be the first major event in Aotea Square since it re-opened at the start of October. This followed two years of redevelopment which included new trees, paving, seating, grassed terraces and lighting, as well as repair to the Civic car park roof beneath the square.

Diwali is organised by Auckland City Council in partnership with Asia NZ.

Visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/events for more information.

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